Part-circle sprinkler head with ball bearing swivel, adjustable cams for deflection spoon and oscillating spray deflector

ABSTRACT

A rugged and durable, lightweight sprinkler head features a ball bearing swivel of simplified and and economical construction without the usual expensive machining. An improved camming system enables part-circle operation through any chosen angle with a very rapid return movement. The sprinkler head is easily convertible to full-circle operation. Bearing lubrication is provided.

United States Patent 1,025,410 5/1912 Lindner Richard F. Friedlander R0. Box 847, Moultrie, Ga. 31768 838,080

July 1, 1969 July 13, 1971 Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented PART-CIRCLE SPRINKLER HEAD WITH BALL BEARING SWIVEL, ADJUSTABLE CAMS FOR DEFLECTION SPOON AND OSCILLATING SPRAY DEFLECTOR 5 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 239/233, 239/264 Int. Cl BOSb 3/08 Field of Search 239/230, 231, 232, 233, 261, 264

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,598,541 8/1926 Orr .1 239/233 1,726,986 9/1929 Horten 239/231 X 2,631,061 3/1953 Nelson 239/264 X 2,649,268 8/1953 Stein 239/230 2,983,452 5/1961 Lindbloom 239/231 X 2,992,781 7/1961 Howard, Sr 239/261 X Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant ExaminerJohn J Love Attorney-B. P. Fishburne, Jr.

ABSTRACT: A rugged and durable, lightweight sprinkler head features a ball bearing swivel of simplified and and economical construction without the usual expensive machining. An improved camming system enables part-circle operation through any chosen angle with a very rapid return movement. The sprinkler head is easily convertible to full-circle operation. Bearing lubrication is provided.

PATENTED JUL 1 3 |97I RICHARD F FRIEDLANDER ATTORNEY PATENTED JUL} 3 I9" I SHEET 2 [IF 4 [NV zn'roa RICHARD F FRIEDLANDER ATTORNEY PATENTEB JUL] 3 :97: 31592388 SHEET 3 [IF 4 INVENTOR RICHARD F. FRIEDLAHDER BY Kay/4M A'I'TORN I-IY and home lawn usage are known in the art and these devices have in general tended to be unduly complicated and without a sufficient range of adjustment. Additionally, the prior art sprinklers have frequently embodied certain delicate components which do not stand up under normal rough usage and this has caused faulty operation of the sprinklers sometimes after only a short period of usage. A major area of trouble in the prior art has been the swivel bearing for the rotary sprinkler head without proper lubrication or of a type which does not sufficiently reduce friction or is subject to corrosion.

The present invention structure has as its aim to overcome the above-enumerated problems of the prior art by providing a sprinkler formed of lightweight materials, such as aluminum, which is exceedingly durable in construction and has a wide range of adjustment and which can be produced in almost any desired size as for major agricultural operations and small home lawns. The invention features a simplified ball bearing swivel which is lubricated and which eliminates costly inner and outer races usually found in such bearings. The sprinkler also embodies unique adjustable cams which positively regulate the operation of a deflector spoon relative to the nozzle stream, rendering reverse or return operation of the nozzle quick and positive. An oscillating spray deflector moves into and out of the nozzle stream during normal forward operation to impart a step-by-step movement to the sprinkler head.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a rotary sprinkler embodying the invention in a normal forward turning mode.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sprinkler as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3-is an opposite side elevation of the sprinkler in a reverse or return mode after completion of its forward rotation or are.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the same FIG. 5 is a partly diagrammatic plan view showing deflector spoon retracting and engaging cams and associated elements.

FIG. 6 is a similar view with a cam-engaging roller at a second operative position on the engaging cam.

FIG. 7 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 77 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a deflector spoon and associated elements.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged central vertical section through the sprinkler head and its swivel bearing, taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the same, the numeral designates a suitable standpipe, either fixed or mobile, for delivering water to the sprinkler head of the invention. Acam cage or support 16 includes a lower ring portion 17 fixed to the standpipe IS in any suitable manner as by clamping or welding, and plural circumferentially spaced arms 18 rise from the ring portion 17 and support an upper cam ring 19 integral therewith having a marginal flange 20. The cam ring 19 and its flange 20 support adjustably deflector spoon retracting and engaging earns 21 and 22 whose function will be fully described. Underlying clamp plates 23 and bolts 24 render the two cams independently circumferentially adjustable around the circumference of the ring 19 so that the rotational arc of the sprinkler head may be varied. The two cams are releasably -lockable in selected adjusted positions. The cam cage I6 and the two cams are fixed to the pipe 15 and do not rotate during rhrnneratinn of ihe snrinkler head. as will be described.

The rotary sprinkler head proper comprises an elongated tubular nozzle 25 of a suitable size to supply a stream of water to satisfy the needs of a given installation. The nozzle 25 is held at an angle of about 30 above the horizontal with its lower end socketed within a rotary elbow head 26 and secured therein by welding or the like, FIG. 10. The head 26 has a vertical sleeve extension 27 extending rotatably into the upper bore of an intermediate nonrotatable sleeve 28 and sealed to this bore by an O-ring seal 29. The intermediate sleeve 28 has a lower end reduced threaded extension 30 coupled with screw threads 31 on the interior of the stand pipe 15.

An outer bearing ring 32 surrounds the sleeve 28 between it and the arms 18 and has a lower flange 33 sealed to the periphery of sleeve 28 by another O-ring seal 34. The upper end of the bearing ring 32 may be welded at 35 to a flange 36 of the head 26 to make up an integral rotary assembly. A filler ring 37 is disposed under the flange 36 and inwardly of the bearing ring 32 and between the bearing ring and sleeve extension 27. Screws 38 are provided to connect the flange 36 and the ring 37. The intermediate sleeve 28 has an exterior annular shoulder 39 formed thereon near its upper end facing the bore of bearing ring 32. Annular chambers 40 and .41 for groups of ball bearings 42 are formed above and below the shoulder 39 and bounded by the filler ring 37 at the top and the flange 33 at the bottom. Teflon bearing washers v43 are preferably provided as shown above and below the groups of ball bearings. A grease fitting 44 is also provided on the flange 36 between any chosen pairs of the screws 38 to admit lubricant to the chambers 40 and 41, as required. It may be seen that a sturdy, low-friction thrust-type bearing for .the sprinkler head is provided and is effectively sealed and lubricated. The usual ball bearing structure involving inner and .outer bearing races and extremely close machining tolerances is fully avoided by the simplified ball bearing swivel of the invention shown particularly in FIG. 10 and this forms an important feature of the sprinkler enabling it to operate substantially without friction and to have a long life without substantial wear and corrosion of the bearing parts.

Means are provided for retarding the rotation of the sprinkler head including the head member 26, bearing ring 32 and associated parts. This means comprises a two-part brake band 45 and 45' surrounding the bearing ring 32 and resting on the nonrotatable cam ring 19. A pair of lugs 46, FIG. 2, on opposite sides of the cam ring 19 receives brake band adjusting bolts 47 which allow the frictional engagement of the band sections 45 and 45' with the ring 32 to be adjusted. By this means, the precise rotational freedom of movement desired for the sprinkler head may be obtained.

In cooperation with the two cams 21 and 22, mechanical means are provided on the sprinkler to regulate its rotational movement between angular limits established by the circumferential placement of the cams. Such means comprises a yoke 48 disposed under the nozzle 25 near its inner end and pivoted at 49 to a rigid lug 50 which depends from the nozzle. The lower end of the yoke 48 carries a cam-engaging roller 51 which, upon rotation with the nozzle, moves into engagement cyclically with the cams, as will be further described. The forward side of the yoke is pivoted as at 52 to an elongated connecting rod 53 which extends beneath the nozzle 25 toward its forward end and has another pivotal connection at 54 with a depending lug 55 on the hub 56 of a deflector spoon arm 57. The hub 56, in turn, is pivotally connected at 58 to another fixed lug 59 on the bottom of the nozzle 25 nearits forward end. The arm 57 carries a deflector spoon 60 rigid therewith having an oblique upper plate portion 61 and amarginal curved deflector portion 62 at right angles to theplate 61 and adapted under certain conditions of adjustment to lie diagonally across the stream emitting'from the nozzle bore 63, FIG. 9. Under other conditions of adjustment, the. deflector spoon 60 is retracted away from the stream emitting-from the nozzle. Such retracted position of thespoon is shown inFlGS.

reverse or counterclockwise movement of the sprinkler head takes place very quickly when the deflector spoon 60 is cammed into the nozzle stream and then pulled completely therein by the force of the stream itself. When the spoon is retracted from the stream, the sprinkler head and nozzle turn in the opposite or clockwise direction through an are established by the spacing of the earns 20 and 21.

A further element of the sprinkler consists of an elongated deflector arm 64 arranged upon one side of the nozzle 25 and somewhat angled with respect to the axis of the nozzle and converging toward its discharge end. The arm 64 is rotatably mounted intermediate its ends on a transverse axis bearing 65 welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the top of the nozzle between its end. The arm rotates or oscillates in a vertical plane back and forth approximately 180 between limit stops 66 on opposite sides of the bearing 65, the arm being equipped with a single cooperating stop element 67 to limit its movement in either direction. Each end of the arm 64 carries an oblique spray deflector 68 in the form of a rectangular tube having a rear lip extension 69 and a forward notch or cutout 70 on the side of the deflector remote from the lip extension.

The arrangement is such that upon each 180 oscillation of the arm 64 the rear open end of the rectangular tubular deflector 68 on one end of the arm moves into the nozzle stream, the stream impinging first on the extension 69 and then being deflected into and through the rectangular tubular structure. This interrupts and deflects the nozzle stream somewhat angularly and correspondingly interrupts the forward or clockwise rotational movement of the sprinkler head so that, in effect, it moves forwardly in a step-by-step manner due to the continuous swinging of deflector arm 64 and the intermittent engagement of the stream by the oblique rectangular tubular deflectors 68. The stream acts on the deflectors to motivate the arm 64 which swings back and forth between the two stops 66.

Referring to the earns 21 and 22 in FIGS. and 6, when the roller 51 of yoke 48 rides onto the spoon retracting cam 21, the roller will travel inwardly along the angular face 71 of the cam and in so doing the yoke 48 is swung rearwardly toward the head 26 and this pulls the connecting rod 53 rearwardly in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 and pulls the deflector spoon 60 entirely out of the nozzle stream. This frees the sprinkler head and nozzle to turn forwardly or clockwise in the direction of the arrow 72, FIG. 5, and the movement will take place step-bv-step due to the described action of the oscillating arm 64. When the sprinkler head has turned clockwise on its ball bearing structure through the prescribed arc ofa circle established by the initial spacing of the earns 21 and 22, the roller 51 will encounter the curved sloping face 73 of cam 22, FIG. 6, and the yoke 48 will swing forwardly and away from the head 26. This will push the connecting rod 53 forwardly, FIG. 3, and swing the deflector spoon 60 into the stream of water emitting from the nozzle 25. lmmediately, the water will impinge on the diagonal deflector portion 62 and the force of the stream will pull the right-angular spoon entirely into the stream where it will serve as a rudder and the reactive force will cause the sprinkler head to move in reverse or counterclockwise with a very fast motion, as indicated by the arrow 74, FIG. 6. This return movement of the sprinkler head back toward the cam 21 will take place even before the arm 64 can complete one oscillation through 180. The roller 51 will again encounter the retracting cam 21 which in turn will pull the spoon 60 out of the nozzle stream so that the sprinkler can commence again its normal step-by-step clockwise movement toward the engaging cam 22 which moves the spoon 60 into the stream.

It is now apparent that an efficient rotary sprinkler is provided which has a stream-induced quick-return movement and a controlled step-by-step forward movement through any selected are established by adjusting the cams 21 and 22 on the cam ring 19 where they are slidably mounted and lockable, as described. Smooth low-friction rotation is provided by the simplified ball bearin for the sprinkler head, FlG. 10, and further control, if neede is available through the adjustable brake band 45-45. If desired, the sprinkler can easily be converted to a full-circle rotary sprinkler by simply removing the linkage including yoke 48, the spoon 60 and the earns 21 and 22.

The numerous advantages and features of the invention are now thought to be fully apparent without the need of further description and it is to be understood that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to.

1 claim:

1. A rotary sprinkler comprising an intermediate sleeve adapted for mounting on a standpipe or the like and having an annular shoulder formed thereon externally, a bearing ring surrounding the intermediate sleeve rotatably and forming therewith annular ball bearing compartments above and below said shoulder, plural ball bearing elements disposed loosely within said annular compartments, a sprinkler head carried by the bearing ring and rotating therewith as a unit upon said intermediate sleeve, said sprinkler head including a base portion secured to the bearing ring and an inclined sprinkler nozzle projectingfrom the base portion, a cam-support ring anchored to said standpipe and surrounding the bearing ring, circumferentially spaced engaging and retracting cams on said cam-support ring, a pivoted cam follower member on the sprinkler head extending into the planes of said earns, a pivoted deflector spoon on the nozzle forwardly of the pivoted follower, and a link interconnecting the deflector spoon and follower so that thesame will move in unison when the fol lower engages said cams to move the spoon into the nozzle stream and retract it therefrom.

2. A rotary sprinkler comprising an intermediate sleeve.

adapted for mounting on a standpipe or the like and having an annular shoulder formed thereon externally, a bearing ring surrounding the intermediate sleeve rotatably and forming therewith annular ball bearing compartments above and below said shoulder, plural ball bearing elements disposed loosely within said annular compartments, a sprinkler head carried by the bearing ring and rotating therewith as a unit upon said intermediate sleeve, and a cam-support ring surrounding the sprinkler head and adapted to be anchored to the standpipe, engaging and retracting cams circumferentially adjustably mounted on the support ring and adapted to be clamped in selected adjusted positions, a deflector linkage on the sprinkler head including a pivoted yoke, and a cam-engaging roller on said yoke extending into the circumferential planes of the cams and engageable cyclically with the cams during turning of the sprinkler head.

3. The structure of claim 1, and an oscillating elongated deflector arm pivoted to the nozzle at an angle to the nozzle intermediate the ends of the arm and nozzle and including angled tubular spray deflectors on the ends of the arm adapted cyclically to move into and out of the nozzle stream as the arm oscillates through approximately 4. The structure of claim 3, and said tubular deflectors are each rectangular in cross section and disposed at acute angles to the arm at the ends of the arm, said deflectors having nozzle-stream-engaging lip extensions at their rear ends and being cut away in one side wall at their ends remote from the lip extensions and in the sides of the deflectors opposite from the lip extensions.

5. The structure of claim 4, and a pair of positive stop elements for the arm on the nozzle spaced approximately 180 apart and a coacting stop element on the arm engageable with said spaced-apart stop elements. 

1. A rotary sprinkler comprising an intermediate sleeve adapted for mounting on a standpipe or the like and having an annular shoulder formed thereon externally, a bearing ring surrounding the intermediate sleeve rotatably and forming therewith annular ball bearing compartments above and below said shoulder, plural ball bearing elements disposed loosely within said annular compartments, a sprinkler head carried by the bearing ring and rotating therewith as a unit upon said intermediate sleeve, said sprinkler head including a base portion secured to the bearing ring and an inclined sprinkler nozzle projecting from the base portion, a cam-support ring anchored to said standpipe and surrounding the bearing ring, circumferentially spaced engaging and retracting cams on said cam-support ring, a pivoted cam follower member on the sprinkler head extending into the planes of said cams, a pivoted deflector spoon on the nozzle forwardly of the pivoted follower, and a link interconnecting the deflector spoon and follower so that the same will move in unison when the follower engages said cams to move the spoon into the nozzle stream and retract it therefrom.
 2. A rotary sprinkler comprising an intermediate sleeve adapted for mounting on a standpipe or the like and having an annular shoulder formed thereon externally, a bearing ring surrounding the intermediate sleeve rotatably and forming therewith annular ball bearing compartments above and below said shoulder, plural ball bearing elements disposed loosely within said annular compartments, a sprinkler head carried by the bearing ring and rotating therewith as a unit upon said intermediate sleeve, and a cam-support ring surrounding the sprinkler head and adapted to be anchored to the standpipe, engaging and retracting cams circumferentially adjustably Mounted on the support ring and adapted to be clamped in selected adjusted positions, a deflector linkage on the sprinkler head including a pivoted yoke, and a cam-engaging roller on said yoke extending into the circumferential planes of the cams and engageable cyclically with the cams during turning of the sprinkler head.
 3. The structure of claim 1, and an oscillating elongated deflector arm pivoted to the nozzle at an angle to the nozzle intermediate the ends of the arm and nozzle and including angled tubular spray deflectors on the ends of the arm adapted cyclically to move into and out of the nozzle stream as the arm oscillates through approximately 180*.
 4. The structure of claim 3, and said tubular deflectors are each rectangular in cross section and disposed at acute angles to the arm at the ends of the arm, said deflectors having nozzle-stream-engaging lip extensions at their rear ends and being cut away in one side wall at their ends remote from the lip extensions and in the sides of the deflectors opposite from the lip extensions.
 5. The structure of claim 4, and a pair of positive stop elements for the arm on the nozzle spaced approximately 180* apart and a coacting stop element on the arm engageable with said spaced-apart stop elements. 